Offtopic/fun » anybody this year, Kelly said. We just have

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- When they shook hands after the game, Florida coach Jim McElwain thanked South Carolinas Will Muschamp for what he left behind in Gainesville.On defense anyway.It didnt need to be said. After all, it was evident on the field.Austin Appleby threw two touchdown passes, Jordan Scarlett ran for a career-high 134 yards and the 22nd-ranked Gators used another solid defensive effort to beat the Gamecocks 20-7 Saturday, moving closer to clinching the Southeastern Conferences Eastern Division.I just said, No. 1, that there were some great defensive players here, McElwain said. He just did an outstanding job.The banged-up Gators (7-2, 5-2) can secure a spot in the league title game by winning at 19th-ranked LSU next week. It might be a long shot given Floridas injury situation.McElwain lost nine starters the last two weeks, including four against the Gamecocks (5-5, 3-5). Safety Marcus Maye (arm) is out for the season, and its uncertain whether defensive end Bryan Cox Jr. (ankle), center Tyler Jordan (ankle) and left tackle David Sharpe (leg) will be ready to play against the Tigers.Youve got guys dropping left and right and new guys going in there, McElwain said. I think we sold some extra programs because (fans) didnt know the numbers that were in there. Our new athletic director will be excited about that. Itll help the budget.Florida did just enough to overcome the injuries.Appleby found Cyontai Lewis for a 6-yard score in the first quarter and then floated a perfect pass to Ahmad Fulwood in the corner of the end zone in the second. Eddy Pineiros two field goals in the third, including a 54-yarder, gave the Gators some breathing room.Floridas defense did the rest, allowing just 256 yards while rebounding nicely from a 31-10 loss at Arkansas last week. Most of the players shutting down South Carolina were guys Muschamp signed during his four years (2011-14) in Gainesville.Its about the people, he said. Its not about the logo. Its not about the buildings. Its relationships you build with people over a period of time. A lot of people that still work here at Florida that Im very close with and always will be. As we move forward there will be less players involved, which is probably the better part for me because thats what I really care about.Many thought Floridas former coach would pull off an upset in his return to Gainesville. Instead, the Gamecocks were shut out until scoring with 6:53 left. The loss snapped South Carolinas three-game winning streak.Freshman quarterback Jake Bentley, who played so well in those victories, struggled in his first road start. Bentley completed 18 of 33 passes for 213 yards, with an interception and a fumble.Appleby was slightly more efficient. The former Purdue starter, filling in for injured Luke Del Rio, was 17-of-21 passing for 201 yards. He threw an interception in the third quarter and fumbled a snap, committing two of the teams three turnovers.We could have had 40 points out there if we played the way we are capable of, Appleby said. We will get it fixed.THE TAKEAWAYSouth Carolina: Although the Gamecocks didnt have much offensive success, its clear Muschamp has some young players to build around. Bentley, running back Rico Dowdle and receiver Bryan Edwards -- all freshmen -- should be a solid nucleus for the next few years.Florida: The Gators have endured their share of injures the last two weeks, losing five defensive starters and four on the offensive side of the ball. Some of them wont be back for next weeks all-important game at LSU, leaving Florida to test its depth on the road.POLL IMPLICATIONSFlorida probably will move up a few spots in the next AP poll, but all that matters now is beating the Tigers and getting back to Atlanta.We know whats at stake, Appleby said. We want to go back to Atlanta, and this is the next step in order to get there. Weve got a lot of guys dinged up. With that said, the next mans up.UP NEXTSouth Carolina: After playing five consecutive games at Williams-Brice Stadium before traveling to Florida, the Gamecocks return home to face Western Carolina next Saturday. South Carolina should become bowl-eligible against the Catamounts, a team from the Football Championship Subdivision.Florida: Plays at LSU next Saturday, a game postponed because of Hurricane Matthew in and later moved from Gainesville to Baton Rouge. The Gators were initially slated to host Presbyterian that day.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org Gareth Bale Wales Jersey .com) - Following a late-game loss to the reigning NBA champs, the Toronto Raptors will look to sustain their recent high-level play as they travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers. Gareth Bale Jersey . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start. http://www.soccerwalesstore.com/customized/ . PETERSBURG, Fla. Aaron Ramsey Jersey . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. Aaron Ramsey Wales Jersey . The veteran safety was a starter for the Bengals from 2008-2012. He totaled 41 tackles and three interceptions while starting all but four of the 13 games he played last season. LOS ANGELES -- Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly is confident he will be back next year after the Fighting Irish wrapped up a disappointing season with a blowout loss at Southern California on Saturday.Kelly won at least eight games in each of his first six seasons, but the Irish finished 4-8 this season, culminating in a 45-27 loss to the No. 12 Trojans.Kelly scrapped his usual late-November itinerary of recruiting in California after facing the Trojans to return to South Bend, but says its not related to Notre Dames struggles.I dont believe Im coming back early because Im getting fired, Kelly said.Asked if he wanted to coach Notre Dame next season, Kelly said, Oh yeah, absolutely. Ill be back.I always stay on the West Coast for the week and then we get into bowl practice, Kelly added. But obviously we dont have bowl practice, and then they get into exams, so Im going to use next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to do exit interviews so I can spend a little time and get feedback from our players in terms of some of the things we may need to adjust within our program.Kellys players also backed him after the Irish wrapped up their worst season since Charlie Weis went 3-9 in 2007 with a dreary, waterlogged loss in Los Angeles. Kellys decision to return home after facing USC echoed a similar change ahead of Weis firing in 2009.Unlike Weis, Kelly led the Irish to appearances in the BCS championship game and the Fiesta Bowl during his first six seasons.If anything, Coach Kelly deserves another chance if people are talking about him being fired because this is just one bad season, defensive tackle Jarron Jones said. Just because we have one trip-up doesnt mean he should be fired.Kelly also said he plans to review every aspect of the program, including his coaching staff, beginning next week, but the first order of business will likely be addressing the fallout from defensive tackle Jerry Tillerys actions Saturday.Tillery appeared to nudge USC running back AcaCedric Wares helmet with his cleat as the sophomore was down on the field after being hit by safety Nicco Fertitta, resulting in a targeting penalty and Fertittas ejection. Tillery was not penalized, but did receive a personal foul for stepping on right tackle Zach Banners ankle after an extra point later in the drive.Kelly removed Tillery from the gaame after the penalty and said he could face further discipline for his conduct, though Kelly was not asked specifically about the incident involving Ware.ddddddddddddccountability is built within any program, and Jerry has to be accountable for his actions every single day, Kelly said. Jerry is a good kid. If he made a mistake, well hold him accountable for that mistake.Video and GIFs of Tillerys actions immediately went viral.It overshadowed a largely positive defensive performance for Notre Dame. The surging USC offense scored just 24 points and was held under 500 total yards for only the second time during its eight-game winning streak. Instead, it was breakdowns on special teams and in the passing game that did in the Irish.Adoree Jackson picked up a bouncing punt and ran 55 yards for a touchdown, followed by DeShone Kizer throwing an interception that cornerback Ajene Harris returned 33 yards for a score. In 17 seconds, a 10-7 deficit for Notre Dame turned into an insurmountable 24-7 hole. Those untimely breakdowns haunted the Irish all year, Kelly said.I thought we could play with anybody this year, Kelly said. We just have not been able to sustain consistent performance for four quarters. We have shown a propensity for some self-inflicted wounds, whether they be on special teams or offense or defense.Kelly called the defense a young group that is ascending and will make big strides next year.As for the offense, its status will depend on whether Kizer declares for the NFL draft or returns to school for his redshirt junior season. Kizer said he has not made a decision yet.Kelly said the school had requested draft evaluations for Kizer, left tackle Mike McGlinchey, left guard Quenton Nelson and linebacker Nyles Morgan from the NFL.Kizer did say the disappointing year gives him plenty of difficult tape to review and situations he could learn from, trying to take some positive from a bad situation.Jones believes the same holds true for Kellys tenure at Notre Dame.You never want to think about the negative stuff, because the negative stuff taints the positive memories, Jones said.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-Top25 ' ' '